EP0076686A1 - Dispositif pour entraîner des produits de récolte - Google Patents

Dispositif pour entraîner des produits de récolte Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0076686A1
EP0076686A1 EP82305274A EP82305274A EP0076686A1 EP 0076686 A1 EP0076686 A1 EP 0076686A1 EP 82305274 A EP82305274 A EP 82305274A EP 82305274 A EP82305274 A EP 82305274A EP 0076686 A1 EP0076686 A1 EP 0076686A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
crop
arms
support means
crop engaging
movement
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
EP82305274A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP0076686B1 (fr
Inventor
Wilfred Erwin Beechwood Klinner
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National Research Development Corp UK
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National Research Development Corp UK
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
    • A01D43/00—Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing
    • A01D43/10—Mowers combined with apparatus performing additional operations while mowing with means for crushing or bruising the mown crop

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a crop engaging ievice.
  • the invention is concerned in one aspect with apparatus for conditioning of crops especially, but not exclusively, grasses, and is concerned in other applications with pick-up and conveying rotors for collecting cut crop and conveying the same.
  • 1,322,165 there are.described conditioning elements formed in the shape of a V or Y and yieldably mounted on a rotor, the elements being yieldable by virtue of being pivotted at their main point of securement to the rotor. This allows the conditioning elements to yield in operation in contact with stones or other foreign objects found in the crop.
  • a disadvantage of such free pivotting is that the elements can also yield in response to unusually high crop loads, unless they are heavy and the rotor is rotated at a relatively high speed in order to maintain the conditioning elements in an outwardly extending position by virtue of centrifugal force.
  • conditioning elements which also take the form of a V.
  • the conditioning elements are resiliently mounted so as to be maintained in an outward operative position without the need to rely on centrifugal force, but are yieldable by pivotting against the resilient locating means.
  • Such conditioning means offer many advantages and have found wide acceptance in practice, but are relatively complicated in construction, and expensive to manufacture.
  • the present invention is concerned with providing crop conditioning elements which can be maintained in an outwardly directed operative position without the need to rely upon centrifugal force, which are yieldable when in contact with foreign material in the crop, and which are relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.
  • a crop engaging device for conveying and/or conditioning crop, the device comprising
  • the said yielding movement is predominantly a pivotting movement of the element about an axis transverse to the principal axis of the axial fastening means.
  • the said cooperating abutment surfaces are effective to prevent or inhibit rotation of the crop engaging element about the principal axis of the fastening means.
  • the said support means comprises an elongate support member extending transverse to the intended movement of the crop engaging elements relative to the crop with a plurality of crop engaging elements positioned along the elongated support member, the cooperating abutment regions being arranged to prevent or inhibit rotation of the element about an axis extending into the crop perpendicular to the said base portion of the support member, and the said yielding movement comprising predominantly a pivotting movement about an axis generally aligned along the length of the elongate support member.
  • each crop engaging element comprises an elongate member shaped to produce a configuration in which the member forms two outwardly extending arms which diverge from each other in the outward direction and in a plane generally transverse to the intended movement of the arms with or relative to the crop, the elongate member being secured to the support means at the region of conjunction of the two arms.
  • the inclined crop engaging portions of the elements are located by guides of the support means which provide at least some of the abutment regions of the support means, the crop engaging elements being yieldable relative to the support means by sliding movement along the said guides.
  • each said elongate member is formed of stiff resilient material, and is folded to produce the said configuration, the said divergent arms being biased apart by virtue of the springiness of the said material and being arranged to bear against the said guides of the support means, which guides retain the arms in the said configuration against the bias urging the arms apart.
  • each elongate member is a flat strip of material arranged with the flat outer surfaces of the two arms bearing against the said guides.
  • the flat strip is folded about an axis at right angles to the length of the strip and lying in the plane of the strip.
  • the strip may be folded in more than one place, for example to produce a generally U-shaped configuration (but with at least slightly divergent arms) rather than a V-shaped configuration, and it is also possible for the strip to be folded about an axis which is inclined to the length of the strip at an angle other than a right angle.
  • Rod-like or tubular material may also be used in place of strip, with a flat portion at the fold or conjunction of the two arms of each crop engaging element.
  • the said support means comprises a transverse channel-section support member, each shaped elongate member being secured to the inner surface of one of the flanges of-the said channel-section with the said conjunction of the arms of the element within the channel-section, said one flange constituting said base portion of said support means, there being provided in the opposite flange of the said channel-section an opening or openings through which the said arms of the element pass, the said guides of the said support means being provided by the sides of the said opening or openings in the said second-mentioned flange of the channel-section.
  • the axial fastening means secures the crop engaging element to the support means by passing through the base portion of the element along the said principal axis of the fastening means and conveniently the said principal axis of the axial fastening means extends perpendicular to said base portion of said support means.
  • the support means may include at each element a bracket shaped to support the crop engaging portion of the element at the said inclination relative to the support means.
  • the support means may include at each crop engaging element a bracket engaged with the base portion of the element, said fastening means securing the element to the support means by passing through the bracket.
  • the fastening means may secure the crop engaging element to the upstanding shielding portion of the support means.
  • the bracket may be arranged to move wholly or predominantly with the crop engaging element during the said yielding movement.
  • each crop engaging element comprises an elongate member shaped to produce a configuration in which the member forms two outwardly extending arms which diverge from each other in the outward direction and in a plane generally transverse to the intended movement of the arms with or relative to the crop, the elongate member being secured to the support means at the region of conjunction of the two arms, it may be arranged that each elongate member is folded to produce the said configuration, and the said divergent arms are biased apart by virtue of the springiness of the said material and are arranged to bear against the said bracket which retains the arms in the said configuration against the bias urging the arms apart.
  • Each elongate member may be a flat strip of material arranged with the flat outer surfaces of the two arms bearing against the said bracket.
  • each elongate member may be formed from a flat strip of material arranged with an edge surface of the strip abutting against the said upstanding shielding portion of the support means.
  • the said yielding movement may be produced by any one or a combination of different effects, for example by pivoting, rocking and/or twisting, but it is preferred that the said yielding movement is produced at least in part by a rocking movement of the element as a whole, e.g. about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the axial fastening means. In other arrangements, or in combination with this arrangement, the said yielding movement may be produced at least in part by bending and/or twisting of the crop engaging portion of the element.
  • each crop engaging element comprises a folded elongate member
  • the axis of the axial fastening means extends along an axis perpendicular to an axis or axes along which the elongate member is folded.
  • each crop engaging element is secured by a single axial fastening means which may comprise a bolt passing through an aperture in the base portion of the element, and secured to the support means by a nut and washer arrangement.
  • the axial fastening means may conveniently include resilient biasing means urging the base portion of the crop engaging element against the support means but allowing movement of the element away from the support means along the direction of the axis of the fastening means to provide at least in part the said yielding movement.
  • the fastening means comprises a bolt passing through an opening in the base portion of an element
  • a block of elastomeric material such as rubber holding the base portion against the support means but allowing movement of the element as a whole in a rocking movement compressing the block of elastomeric material
  • the said support means can be arranged both to support the crop engaging elements, and also to afford protection against damage by stones and like objects in the crop, the upstanding shielding portion being ahead of the element relative to movement between the crop and the element in operation, for the purpose of shielding the base of the element against damage by stones and'like foreign matter in the crop.
  • the said support means comprises a transverse channel-section support member, each crop engaging element being secured to the inner surface of one of the flanges of the said channel-section with the said base portion of the element within the channel-section, there being provided in the opposite flange of the said channel-section an opening or openings through which divergent arms of the element pass, the said abutment region of the said support means being provided by the sides of the said opening or openings in the said second-mentioned flange of the channel-section.
  • the first-mentioned flange of the said channel-section constitutes the said base of the support means, and the linking portion of the channel-section between the two flanges of the channel-section, constitutes the said upstanding shielding portion positioned ahead of the element relative to the movement between the crop and the element in operation.
  • the said support means comprises a right-angle section support member, each crop engaging element being secured to one flange of the angle-section with the said base portion of the arms of the element on the inner side of the said flange, the said abutment region of the support means being provided on the inner surface of the other flange of the angle-section.
  • the first-mentioned flange of the angle-section constitutes the said base of the support means
  • the second-mentioned flange of the angle-section constitutes the said upstanding shielding portion positioned ahead of the element relative to movement between the crop and the element.
  • the invention finds particular but not exclusive application where the said elements are made of stiff resilient material, for example synthetic plastics material, conveniently nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene, or of spring steel, although rigid non-resilient material may be used. Conveniently the elements may be cut from sheets of plastics material.
  • stiff resilient material for example synthetic plastics material, conveniently nylon, polypropylene or polyethylene, or of spring steel, although rigid non-resilient material may be used.
  • the elements may be cut from sheets of plastics material.
  • the crop engaging device finds application either when in the form of a vertical or horizontal rotor for conveying and/or conditioning crop by rotation of the rotor, or when in the form of a stationary device positioned adjacent a crop flow so as to condition crop being propelled past the device by other means.
  • the elements may be returned after yielding to their undeflected dispositions by a combination of the yielding arrangements described, aided also by centrifugal force, and where the crop engaging device comprises a stationary device, the elements may be returned to their undeflected dispositions after yielding by means only of the biasing arrangements described.
  • a crop engaging device according to the invention finds application in arrangements such as described in our published pending UK Patent Application No. 8012426 (EX PCT/GB 79/00053), where the crop engaging elements of the present invention may replace the brush tufts disclosed in that specification.
  • Crop engaging devices embodying the invention may be provided which are applicable to conditioning, tedding, turning, scoring, fibrillating, threshing or otherwise treating crops.
  • the present invention provides, at least in preferred embodiments thereof, a number of advantages over previously known crop engaging elements for conveying and/or conditioning crop.
  • the crop engaging elements of the invention may be produced from other materials such as steel, it is particularly preferred that the elements are made of synthetic plastics material, and the invention affords a particularly simple and inexpensive construction.
  • Such elements of plastics material have the attractions of lightness, cheapness, low risk of damaging following machinery if lost, and have a much less complex method of mounting than has been used previously.
  • the invention provides a divergent, two-arm element located and prevented from turning by abutment regions and secured by a single bolt so that fore and aft movement of the element is possible and the arms themselves can twist or deflect laterally.
  • a crrop engaging device for conveying and/or conditioning crop
  • the device comprising support means in the form of a rotor, said support means comprising a plurality of channel-section support members aligned along the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor, each channel-section support member having an inner flange closer to the axis of rotation and an outer flange further spaced from the axis of rotation, and a linking portion linking the two flanges, a plurality of outwardly extending crop engaging elements secured to the support members for conveying and/or conditioning crop upon rotation of the rotor, each crop engaging element comprising an elongate member shaped to produce a configurations in which the member forms two outwardly extending arms which diverge from each other in the outward direction and in a plane generaly transverse to the intended movement of the arms with or relative to the crop, the elomgate member being secured to the support means at the region of conjunction of the two arms, a plurality
  • each shaped elongate member being secured to the inner surface of the inner flange of said channel-section member with the said conjunction of the arms of the elongate member within the channel-section, there being provided in said outer flange of said channel section an opening or openings through which said arms of the element pass, said guides of said support means being provided by the sides of said opening or openings in said outer flange of said channel-section, the arms of each crop engaging element being yieldable in operation by movement of the arms relative to the support member by sliding movement along said guides.
  • a crop engaging device for conveying and/or conditioning crop
  • the device comprising support means in the form of a rotor, said support means comprising a plurality of support members aligned along the direction of the axis of rotation of the rotor, each support member having an inner base flange positioned closer to the axis of rotation, and an upstanding shielding flange further spaced from the axis of rotation and extending outwardly from the inner flange substantially at right angles to the inner flange, a plurality of outwardly extending crop engaging elements secured to the support members for conveying and/or conditioning crop upon rotation of the the rotor, each crop engaging element comprising an elongate member shaped to produce a configuration in which the member forms two outwardly extending arms which diverge from each other in the outward direction and in a plane generally transverse to the intended movement of the arms with or relative to the crop, the elongate member being secured to the support member at the region of conjunction of the two
  • FIG. 1 and 2 there is shown a crop engaging element for conveying and/or conditioning crop, indicated generally by the reference 11, and forming one of a plurality of such elements mounted on a rotor having a plurality of transverse support members parallel to the axis of the rotor, of which one is indicated generally by the reference 12.
  • the support member 12 comprises a channel-section support member having an opening 13 in a first base flange 14 of the channel-section, and having two slot-shaped openings 15 and 16 in the second, upper flange 17 of the channel-section member 12.
  • the slots 15 and 16 are formed by appropriate cuts in the upper flange 17, and by folding downwardly or upwardly lips 18 and 19 cut from the upper flange 17.
  • the support member 12 has a leading upstanding portion 14A, which links the base flange 14 and the return flange 17.
  • the crop engaging element 11 comprises an elongate member in the form of a flat strip 20 of stiff resilient material, conveniently a strip of synthetic plastics material.
  • a flat strip 20 may be cut from a sheet of polypropylene of 10 mm thickness, the strip being for example 5 cm in width and the entire strip 20 being 25 cm in length.
  • the flat strip 20 is folded, by heating if necessary, to form two outwardly extending arms 21 and 22 generally in the form of a V-shape, and is secured to the base flange 14 of the channel-section support member 12 by a bolt 23 passing through the opening 13 in the flange 14 and a slightly larger hole adjacent in the plastics material, to allow a degree of relative movement.
  • the bolt 23 extends along a principal axis 23A of the bolt.
  • the bolt 23 retains the strip 20 in place by means of a compression spring 24, the bolt 23 being secured by a nut 25 on the outer side of the base flange 14.
  • the arms 21 and 22 of the element 11 diverge from each other in the outward direction away from the support member 12, and pass through the openings 15 and 16 in the upper flange 17 of the channel-section member 12.
  • the arms 21 and 22 are biased apart by virtue of the outwardly directed springiness of the material of the strip 20, and bear against the inner surfaces 26 and 27 of the bent-over lips 18 and 19.
  • the lips 18 and 19 form guides for the arms 21 and 22, as will be explained hereinafter, and the surfaces 26 and 27 form guide surfaces.
  • the guide surfaces 26 and 27 retain the arms 21 and 22 in the V-shape configuration against the bias urging the arms apart.
  • the guide surfaces 26 and 27 provide an abutment region on the support member 12, and the outer side surfaces (indicated at 21A and 22A) of the arms 21 and 22 next to the guide surfaces 26 and 27, provide an abutment region on the crop engaging element 11. These cooperating abutment regions prevent or inhibit rotation of the element 11 about the bolt 23.
  • the guide surfaces 26 and 27 have a further function of guiding a yielding movement of the crop engaging element 11 which may take place during operation.
  • the sense of rotation of the crop engaging rotor will be such as to move the support member 12 to the right, so that the crop engaging element 11 conveys crop towards the right.
  • the element 11 meets with a stone, piece of tramp metal, or like foreign object in the crop, the element 11 is not free to rotate about the axis 23A of the fastening bolt 23 but is free to pivot rearwardly by a rocking movement of the base, or fold (indicated at 20A), of the strip 20 on the base flange 14 of the channel-section member 12, by means of compression of the spring 24.
  • This rocking movement may be the sole yielding movement of the crop engaging element 11, or there may in addition be some movement of the element 11 due to yielding of the element by virtue of the resilience of the material from which it is made.
  • the arms 21 and 22 may be deflected in the plane of Figure 1, that is to say from side to side, in addition to the rearward yielding of the element.
  • the yielding of the element may also be produced by excess load conditions due to a particularly dense crop, in addition to yielding to avoid foreign objects.
  • the yielding movement of the element 11 will be about an axis transverse to the axis 23A of the bolt 23.
  • the rocking movement of the element 11 will not of course take place about a clearly defined axis, but where the whole element tips rearwardly the movement may be regarded approximately as a pivoting movement about an axis parallel to the member 12 at the rear of the base portion 20A in the general region indicated at 20B.
  • the yielding movement will not be a simple pivoting movement but will include a twisting and deforming of the arms 21 and 22.
  • the base portion 20 may be fixed rigidly to the base flange 14, so that all the yielding movement takes place by virtue of the resilience of the arms 21 and 22. However such movement also takes place about an axis transverse to the axis 23A of the bolt 23, even though the axis about which the yielding movement takes place may not be definable, and may move during the yielding movement. Also of course the transverse axis about which the yielding movement takes place need not be parallel to the support member 12.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 is particularly suitable for use where the element 11 is formed from metal, or other material which is not particularly yielding in itself, since the yielding can be provided by the spring 24. It is also to be noted that the angled lips 18 and 19 reduce wear from chafing by virtue of their broad bearing surface. As an alternative the lips 18 and 19 could be bent upwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.
  • the mounting spring 24 could be replaced by a rubber bush or block with a covering washer as shown in later figures. Such a modification has the advantages that the rubber moulds itself to the lower contour of the element and is non-corrosive.
  • a narrow right-angle bracket shown in Figure 2 at 28 may be provided and may be secured by a small bolt 29 passing through an aperture 30 in the flange 17 of the channel-section member 12.
  • the bracket 28 may for example be 20 mm wide, so as not to interfere with free yielding movement of the element 11.
  • the tip portions may be stepped, as shown in Figure 2, or otherwise made rough.
  • FIGs 3, 3a and 3b there is shown an alternative form of providing the guide surfaces 26 and 27.
  • elements corresponding to elements in Figure 1 will be indicated by like reference numerals.
  • the crop engaging element 11 has been omitted for simplicity.
  • a right-angle section supporting member 12 has a first base flange 14 on which the crop engaging element is mounted by means of a bolt through aperture 13, and a second upstanding flange 14A from which projects a U-shaped guide member 31 which is generally parallel to the base flange 14 of the right-angle section member 12.
  • the guide surfaces 26 and 27 are provided on the inside surfaces of the U-shaped member 31 allowing the crop engaging element to rock rearwardly in the same manner as has been described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
  • the trailing part of the U-shaped member 31, parallel to the upstanding flange 14A limits the angle to which the crop engaging element is able to pivot to the rear.
  • Figures 4 and 4a show a further modified embodiment and correspond generally to the views shown in Figures 3 and 3a.
  • the guide surfaces 26 and 27 are provided on inner facing surfaces of two separate dowels 32 and 33 which project rearwardly from one flange 14A of an angle-section support member 12.
  • the support member 12 comprises a base portion 14 on which the crop engaging element 11 is mounted, and a shielding portion 14A which leads the crop engaging element 11 in operation, and protects the base of the element 11 from damage from foreign objects.
  • a U-shaped retaining clip can be provided secured to the flange 14 on either side of the aperture 13.
  • FIG 5 there is shown an alternative embodiment which follows generally the embodiments shown in Figure 1, and like reference numerals are used for corresponding elements.
  • the arrangement shown in Figure 5 is suitable where the stiff resilient strip 20 is formed of material which is yieldable by virtue of the its own resilience, for example synthetic plastics material, and in such a case the spring 24 of Figure 1 can be omitted.
  • the bolt 23 carries a shaped washer 35 and is tightened to hold the strip 20 against the flange 14 of the channel-section support member 12. To prevent the bolt head 23 from turning during fitting or removal, a crimped washer is used beneath it.
  • Figures 6a and 6b differs from that of Figure 1 first in that the portion 17A of the upper flange 17 of the support member 12 which in Figure 1 extends between the diverging arms 21 and 22, is in Figure 6 removed, and is replaced by an independent plate 14B. Secondly a wedge shaped rubber block 24A is inserted into the space between the two arms 21 and 22. The block 24A is held in place by the bolt 23 which passes through the lower base flange 14 of the support member 12, through the base portion 20A of the element 11, through the block 24A, and through the plate 14B. The block is so dimensioned that, when tightened down and slightly precompressed, it is approximately 15 mm clear of the bottom of the element 11.
  • the plate 14B is a double-crimped rectangular plate, which also provides space in the centre section thereof for the rubber to flow into momentarily.
  • additional abutment regions on the element 11 and on the support member 12, in addition to the regions on the outer sides of the arms 21 and 22 and on the inner surfaces of the lips 18 and 19.
  • the additional abutment regions are formed on the leading edge surfaces of the arms 21 and 22 (indicated at 21B and 22B), and on the inner surface of the upstanding shielding portion 14A of the channel section member 12 (indicated at 14C).
  • the abutment regions on the surfaces 14C and 21B, 22B move apart, whereas the outerside surfaces 21A and 22A of the arms 21 and 22 slide along the guide surfaces 26 and 27 of the lips 18 and 19.
  • the arms 21 and 22 are shown in full lines as having stepped contours at the ends thereof, indicated at 20C.
  • the ends of the arms 21 and 22 may end with an edge at right angles to the strip 20, as shown at 20D.
  • FIGs 6(b) and 6(c) there are shown perspective views of a rotor 40 embodying the invention and having an array of conditioning elements 11 as shown in Figs 6 and 6(a).
  • the rotor 40 is shown mounted on a frame 50 with a rear housing 51 lifted up from its normal position to show the rotor 40.
  • Fig 6(c) is a rear view of the machine.
  • the rotor 40 rotates in such a manner as to lift crop upwardly and rearwardly over the rotor 40, the crop being picked up from the rear of twin cutting rotors which are partly shown in Fig 6(b) at 62 and 63 and which in Fig 6(c) are hidden by covers 64 and 65.
  • the rotor is shown when removed from the rear of the frame 50, for purposes of explanation.
  • FIG 7 there is shown a further modification, in which the conditioning element 11 is secured to a right-angle bar 12, generally in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 1 and 2, except that the lips 18 and 19 are replaced by a shaped bracket 50 which is secured to the same flange 14 of the support bar 12 as is the conditioning element 11.
  • the bracket 50 is secured by the same bolt 23 which secures the other components.
  • the bracket 50 has side arms 51 and 52 which provide abutment regions of the support means 12 and which hold the element 11 against rotation around the bolt 23, but which nevertheless allow fore and aft pivotting movement of the element 11 by compression of the elastomeric rubber block 24A.
  • Figures 8 and 8a show an arrangement generally similar to that of Figures 7 and 7a, except that the support bracket 50 is shaped differently, its base being wider to provide a firm location.
  • Figures 9 and 9a show a further arrangement in which the inner lugs 53 and 54 are longer than in Figure 8, so that they reach the base of the bracket 50.
  • these lugs 54 and 53 may be secured in position by spot or seam welding. With welded lugs the bracket is extremely rigid laterally.
  • Figure 10 shows a further modification.
  • the bracket 50 is M-shaped.
  • the two legs 55 and 56 of the "M" may be straight, as shown on the left of Figure 10, or bent over, as shown on the right of Figure 10. In the latter case, splaying of the legs is more likely to be prevented when a force acting on the tips of the crop engaging element 11 tends to force the arms 21 and 22 apart.
  • FIGs 11 and 12 there are shown two further modifications, which provide impact protection for the conditioning element 11 through resilient mounting.
  • an M-shaped bracket 50 with inwardly curving legs 55 and 56 rests on a rectangular rubber cushion 24B which is sandwiched between the bracket 50 and the base flange 14 of the right-angle bar 12.
  • the bracket 50 can tilt about the central mounting bolt 23 so that the edges of the bracket 50 in contact with the rubber 24B momentarily displace some of the rubber, particularly at the rear corners.
  • a flat based two-armed element 11 made from rigid material is secured perpendicularly, or near perpendicularly, to a right-angle mounting bar 12 by a bolt 23 passing through the base of the element 11, the mounting bar 12, a rubber block 24A (conveniently cone-shaped), and washers 57 and 58.
  • the crop engaging element 11 is able to rock to the rear in response to heavy tip loads.
  • the element 11 is also able to rock from side to side.
  • the resilient component may be a rubber bush, block or cone as shown, but may also be a steel spring.
  • the resilient interface shown in Figure 11 may be combined with a further resilient element as shown in Figure 12.
  • the leading edges of the crop engaging element 11, in the region of the base thereof, provide abutment regions on the crop engaging element, and the inner face of the upstanding web 14A provides an abutment surface on the support means 12.
  • the bracket 50 also acts to prevent rotation about the axis of the bolt 23, in that the leading edge of the bracket 50 may also be arranged to abut against the inner surface of the upstanding web 14A.
  • FIGs 13, 13(a), 13(b), and 13(c) there are shown various views of a further alternative embodiment of the invention. As before, components in Figs 13 to 13(c) which correspond to components in previous figures, are indicated by like reference numerals.
  • Figs 13 to 13(c) has a number of significant differences from the previous examples, although the overall purpose of the embodiment and manner of functioning are substantially the same.
  • the bolt 23 does not pass through a hole in the base portion 20A of the element 11, but instead passes through the region of the fold of the strip 20 and through the upstanding shielding flange 14A of the support member 12.
  • the element strip 20 is supported in the required inclined configuration by a bracket 50 which is shown in detail in Fig 13(b).
  • the bracket 50 comprises side flanges 70 and 71 positioned at right angles to the inner surface 14C of the upstanding flange 14A of the support member 12, but inclined upwardly and outwardly relative to the base portion 14 of the support member 12.
  • the bracket 50 has a rear linking portion 72 which is parallel to the upstanding flange 14A of the support member 12 and joins together the two side flanges 70 and 71.
  • the rear portion 72 has an aperture 73 through which the bolt 23 passes, to secure the bracket 50 and arms 21 and 22 to the support member 12.
  • a packing piece 74 shown in detail in Fig 13(c), which fits inside the fold of the strip 20.
  • the packing piece 70 has an aperture 75 through which the bolt 23 passes.
  • the packing piece retains the folded strip 20 in the bracket 50 against forces acting outwardly from the base portion 14 of the support member 12, for example centrifugal forces when the support member 12 forms part. of a rotor.
  • the packing piece 74 is made of hard rubber although metal may be used.
  • the strip 20 is made of stiff resilient synthetic plastics material, although metal may be used.
  • a rubber cone 24A through which the bolt 23 passes, the bolt being provided with a washer 57.
  • the bolt is normally slightly pretensioned against the rubber block 24A to hold the element 11 against the flange 14A in the required operating position.
  • the arms 21 and 22 are prevented, or inhibited, from rotating, under normal crop loads, about an axis 23B (which passes through the bolt axis 23A at right angles thereto perpendicular to the base portion 14 of the support member 12) by the effect of abutment regions on the leading edges 21B and 22B on the arms 21 and 22, cooperating within the inner rear surface 14C of the upstanding flange 14A.
  • the element 11 When the element 11 is affected by an abnormal load, the element tips rearwardly as has been described with reference to earlier embodiments, by compression of the rubber cone 24A. During such yielding movement, the bolt 23 is predominantly under tension, generally along the axis of 23 of the bolt.
  • Figs 13 to 13(c) One advantage of the arrangement shown in Figs 13 to 13(c) is that the bolt 23 does not actually pass through a hole in the strip 20, so that weakening of the stip 20 by the hole is avoided. Also the linking portion 72 of the bracket 50 gives support to the rear edges of the arms 21 and 22 at the back region thereof.
  • bracket 50 may (in some arrangements), during yielding movement, move wholly or predominantly with the crop engaging element 11, or may (in some arrangements) remain wholly or predominantly stationary relative to the support means 12.
  • abutment regions may be provided by the leading edge surfaces of the bracket 50, which may be arranged to abut against the inner surface 14C of the upstanding flange 14A of the support means 12.
  • the leading edge surfaces of the folded strip 20 abut against the inner surface of the upstanding flange 14A, this may not necessarily be the case, and the effective abutment region of the crop engaging element may be provided on the bracket 50.
  • the elongate member 20 from which the arms 21 and 22 are formed may be bonded or otherwise fixed to the bracket 50.
  • the strip 20 from which the arms 21 and 22 are formed may be arranged to move relative to the bracket 50 during the yielding movement. Indeed in some arrangements it may be advantageous to weld or otherwise secure the bracket 50 to the support member 12.
  • Figure 14(b) shows part of a mounting pattern in the form of an envelope of a conditioning rotor.
  • individual crop engaging elements 11 are so arranged that they overlap the preceding and succeeding elements.
  • the result of this staggered array of V-form elements is that crop cannot easily penetrate to and become wrapped around the rotor centre.
  • Figure 14 shows diagrammatically in side view a crop conditioning and conveying rotor indicated generally at 40, fitted to the rear of a multi-disc mower indicated generally at 41.
  • a pivotable restrictor plate 42 is provided at the front of the rotor 40 on the underside of the hood of the apparatus, and one example 42A of such a plate is shown in more detail in Figure 14a to have sharp serrations at the upper edge.
  • the restrictor plate 42 forces the crop into the conditioning rotor 40 and also conditions the upper part of the crop layer being drawn into the rotor housing by a scraping action of the teeth.
  • the set clearance between rotor and restrictor plate determines the severity of conditioning; the closer the setting the greater the conditioning effect.
  • the restrictor plate 42 may have mounted thereon an array of conditioning elements 11 of the form described with reference to any of the preceding Figures.
  • Figure 15 shows a drum mower 43 fitted with two smaller diameter intermeshing conditioning rotors 44 and 45 driven in counter rotation at identical speed.
  • a pivotable plate 46 guides the crop into the lower rotor 45 and prevents the crop from being thrown forwardly by the action of the rotor.
  • the front guide plate 46 can be pivotted forwardly and upwardly. After the crop has passed beteeen the conditioning rotors 44 and 45, it is formed into a windrow by the rearwardly extending rotor cover 47.
  • Distinct advantages of the counter-rotating two-rotor conditioning system are (i) the crop layer is treated with equal severity from the top and bottom, and (ii) many of the thick lower stems of the crop are deposited in the swath on top where they are most accessible to the drying air and sun.
  • Figure 16 shows an alternative two-rotor system in which rotors 44 and 45 are located one behind the other to rotate in the same direction.
  • the system is illustrated as a pick-up conditioner, it may be combined with rotary and linear mowers of all types.
  • Restrictor plates 46 and 46' may be adjusted so that the housing-to- rotor clearance can be varied; the tighter it is the greater becomes the conditioning effect.
  • the crop is conditioned during the initial acceleration by the first rotor 44.
  • On transfer to the second rotor 45 it is spiked during deceleration and further conditioned during renewed acceleration.
  • the rearwardly extending rotor cover 47 slows down the crop and directs it on to an optional baffle plate 48 from which it slides gently on to the ground to be left in a fluffy swath.
  • the system is capable of causing very severe conditioning particularly suited to rapid wilting in difficult climatic conditions.
  • a freely rotating or lightly braked drum as shown in broken outline, may be fitted, to place the crop gently on to the ground without risk of accumulation.
  • suitable speeds at the tips of the conditioning elements range from 15 to 30 m/s, preferably 20 to 25 m/s.
  • the invention provides a method of mounting rigid and semi-rigid crop engaging elements in such a way that they are damage protected by being able to pivot in at least one plane in response to an excessive tip load and automatically returned to their original position, with the mounting and securing means essentially protected from contact with the crop.

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Soil Working Implements (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Bulk Treatment Of Fruits And Vegetables And Apparatuses For Preparing Feeds (AREA)
EP82305274A 1981-10-05 1982-10-04 Dispositif pour entraîner des produits de récolte Expired EP0076686B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8129970 1981-10-05
GB8129970 1981-10-05
GB8136651 1981-12-04
GB8136651 1981-12-04

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85104969.2 Division-Into 1985-04-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0076686A1 true EP0076686A1 (fr) 1983-04-13
EP0076686B1 EP0076686B1 (fr) 1986-04-09

Family

ID=26280894

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82305274A Expired EP0076686B1 (fr) 1981-10-05 1982-10-04 Dispositif pour entraîner des produits de récolte
EP85104969A Expired - Lifetime EP0163123B1 (fr) 1981-10-05 1982-10-04 Dispositif pour entraîner des produits de récolte

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85104969A Expired - Lifetime EP0163123B1 (fr) 1981-10-05 1982-10-04 Dispositif pour entraîner des produits de récolte

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4512146A (fr)
EP (2) EP0076686B1 (fr)
DE (2) DE3270458D1 (fr)
DK (1) DK159090B (fr)
GB (2) GB2107963B (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0129007A1 (fr) * 1983-06-08 1984-12-27 Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft Machine pour le traitement de fourrage
EP0139821A2 (fr) * 1983-08-15 1985-05-08 BUCHER-GUYER AG Maschinenfabrik Machine de traitement de fourrage
DE3415753A1 (de) * 1984-04-27 1985-10-31 Landtechnik Günter Grube, 2880 Brake Verfahren und vorrichtung zum aufbereiten von gras
DE3537958A1 (de) * 1984-04-27 1987-05-21 Landtechnik Guenter Grube Verfahren und vorrichtung zum aufbereiten von gras od.dgl. fuer futterzwecke
WO1988007812A1 (fr) * 1987-04-16 1988-10-20 Klinner Wilfred E Dispositif de manipulation de recoltes
EP0332138A2 (fr) * 1988-03-10 1989-09-13 GREENLAND GMBH & CO. KG Dispositif de traitement pour une moissonneuse agricole
US5088275A (en) * 1987-08-28 1992-02-18 C. Van Der Lely N.V. Implement for processing mown crop
WO1992003037A1 (fr) * 1990-08-14 1992-03-05 Klinner Wilfred E Moyens et procedes destines a assujettir et a proteger des elements entrant en engagement avec des produits de recolte
US10477774B2 (en) 2016-10-28 2019-11-19 Deere & Company Windrow fluffing roll assembly for an agricultural machine

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US4660362A (en) * 1981-10-05 1987-04-28 National Research Development Corporation Crop engaging device
US4609049A (en) * 1982-04-26 1986-09-02 Thomas Migdal Rotary wheel type rock picker
US4843806A (en) * 1984-09-27 1989-07-04 National Research Development Corporation Crop harvesting apparatus and methods
US4951453A (en) * 1984-09-27 1990-08-28 National Research Development Corporation Crop harvesting apparatus and methods
GB8424395D0 (en) * 1984-09-27 1984-10-31 British Res Agricult Eng Crop harvesting
GB2172182A (en) * 1985-02-12 1986-09-17 Nat Res Dev Crop engaging elements, yieldable under an excess load
US4662163A (en) * 1985-02-19 1987-05-05 Adams Danny R Mobile spray applicator and method of spraying forage
GB8522596D0 (en) * 1985-09-12 1985-10-16 Teagle W T Agricultural machinery
DK157050C (da) * 1987-01-07 1990-04-02 Taarup As Maskinfab Crimperotor med plastfingre
DK166705B1 (da) * 1991-06-26 1993-07-05 Freudendahl J Fab As Liftophaengt slaamaskine
GB9118932D0 (en) * 1991-09-05 1991-10-23 Mini Agriculture & Fisheries Fiore separating machine
GB9118933D0 (en) * 1991-09-05 1991-10-23 Mini Agriculture & Fisheries Fibre separating machine
GB9118934D0 (en) * 1991-09-05 1991-10-23 Mini Agriculture & Fisheries Fibre separating machine
DE29607248U1 (de) * 1996-04-24 1996-08-14 H. Niemeyer Söhne GmbH & Co KG, 48477 Hörstel Aufbereiter für Halmgut
GB9801236D0 (en) * 1998-01-22 1998-03-18 Kverneland Taarup As Crop conditioner
WO1998042179A1 (fr) * 1997-03-26 1998-10-01 Kverneland Taarup As Machine pour le conditionnement de cultures
FR2838602B1 (fr) * 2002-04-18 2004-09-03 Kuhn Sa Dispositif de traitement du fourrage et faucheuse agricole utilisant un tel dispositif de traitement du fourrage
DE102005013964A1 (de) * 2005-03-26 2006-10-05 Deere & Company, Moline Zinke eines Aufbereiterrotors
EP1704768A1 (fr) 2005-03-26 2006-09-27 Deere & Company Dent d'un rotor pour le traitement de récolte
US9192101B2 (en) 2012-06-06 2015-11-24 Cnh Industrial America Llc Pick-up tine bracket with flange
US11439068B2 (en) * 2019-02-08 2022-09-13 Deere & Company Impeller conditioner including a tine device with limited lateral movement
USD1031791S1 (en) 2022-08-30 2024-06-18 Calmer Holding Company, Llc Straight bar concave
USD1031792S1 (en) 2022-08-30 2024-06-18 Calmer Holding Company, Llc Round bar concave
US11877538B1 (en) 2022-08-30 2024-01-23 Calmer Holding Company, Llc Threshing grains and legumes utilizing concaves with adjustable openings
USD1031793S1 (en) 2022-08-30 2024-06-18 Calmer Holding Company, Llc Separating grate

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DE400041C (de) * 1922-07-14 1924-08-12 William Edward Martin Seitwaerts ablegender Heurechen oder Schwadwender
DE690268C (de) * 1938-04-07 1940-04-20 Lythall Maschf Vorrichtung zum Befestigen der Gabeln von Trommelheuwendern
GB967207A (en) * 1962-03-21 1964-08-19 William Thomas Teagle Improvements in and relating to agricultural machines for lifting a cut crop
GB1322165A (en) * 1969-06-11 1973-07-04 Nat Res Dev Conditioning crops
GB1493574A (en) * 1973-11-08 1977-11-30 Nat Res Dev Mounting assembly
US4021995A (en) * 1975-11-10 1977-05-10 Hesston Corporation Crop conditioning rotor

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0129007A1 (fr) * 1983-06-08 1984-12-27 Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz Aktiengesellschaft Machine pour le traitement de fourrage
EP0139821A2 (fr) * 1983-08-15 1985-05-08 BUCHER-GUYER AG Maschinenfabrik Machine de traitement de fourrage
EP0139821A3 (en) * 1983-08-15 1985-10-30 Bucher-Guyer Ag Maschinenfabrik Machine for forage treatment
DE3415753A1 (de) * 1984-04-27 1985-10-31 Landtechnik Günter Grube, 2880 Brake Verfahren und vorrichtung zum aufbereiten von gras
DE3537958A1 (de) * 1984-04-27 1987-05-21 Landtechnik Guenter Grube Verfahren und vorrichtung zum aufbereiten von gras od.dgl. fuer futterzwecke
WO1988007812A1 (fr) * 1987-04-16 1988-10-20 Klinner Wilfred E Dispositif de manipulation de recoltes
US5088275A (en) * 1987-08-28 1992-02-18 C. Van Der Lely N.V. Implement for processing mown crop
EP0332138A2 (fr) * 1988-03-10 1989-09-13 GREENLAND GMBH & CO. KG Dispositif de traitement pour une moissonneuse agricole
EP0332138A3 (fr) * 1988-03-10 1991-06-05 GREENLAND GMBH & CO. KG Dispositif de traitement pour une moissonneuse agricole
WO1992003037A1 (fr) * 1990-08-14 1992-03-05 Klinner Wilfred E Moyens et procedes destines a assujettir et a proteger des elements entrant en engagement avec des produits de recolte
US5285622A (en) * 1990-08-14 1994-02-15 Klinner Wilfred E Means and method of securing and protecting crop engaging elements
US10477774B2 (en) 2016-10-28 2019-11-19 Deere & Company Windrow fluffing roll assembly for an agricultural machine

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0163123A1 (fr) 1985-12-04
GB2163935A (en) 1986-03-12
DE3270458D1 (en) 1986-05-15
DK439682A (da) 1983-04-06
GB2107963A (en) 1983-05-11
DE3280218D1 (de) 1990-08-23
GB2163935B (en) 1986-08-13
GB8421281D0 (en) 1984-09-26
DK159090B (da) 1990-09-03
GB2107963B (en) 1986-08-13
US4512146A (en) 1985-04-23
EP0163123B1 (fr) 1990-07-18
EP0076686B1 (fr) 1986-04-09

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